As of Wednesday, Sept. 14

Cities without a state are in Missouri 

OBITUARY

Dorothy Bell

March 20, 1931 – Sept. 7, 2022

Dorothy C. Bell, age 91, of Webb City, passed away on Wednesday Sept. 7, at St. Luke’s Nursing Center, following a long-fulfilled life. 

Dorothy was born on March 20, 1931, in Joplin, the daughter of the late Robert and Gladys (Stephenson) Whyte. She has been a lifetime area resident. She graduated from Joplin High School, a member of the class of 1950. She was a Christian. She worked at Sunny Jim’s Candies in Joplin, Dr. A.J. Visek, Dr. Juklic, the Webb City R-7 School District as a teacher’s aide and as a housekeeper at Oakhill Hospital. She semi-retired in 1986. 

She volunteered for the Oak Hill Hospital Gift Shop, and proudly served on the Title One Committee at Webb City Schools that accomplished getting the swimming complex built. She was also a Brownie leader for two years and served as the Patient Advisory Council president, and the state advisory member for Webb City Schools.

Dorothy married Jerry Bell in 1981. He preceded her in death on July 8, 2002. She was also preceded in death by a son, James Robert Whyte; a grandson, Dallas French; a brother, Raymond Whyte; and a sister, Marilyn Peterson.

Dorothy is survived by two daughters, Ruth Ann Meredith and husband Mark, Webb City, and Patty Tate, Poplar Bluff, Ark.; three sons, Donald French and wife Robin, Dallas, Texas, Duane Bell and wife Rhonda, Poplar Bluff, and Jamie Bell, Joplin; one brother, Larry Whyte and wife Margie, Joplin; nine grandchildren, Jennifer (Jerry) White, Webb City, Rob (Zoie) Russell, Joplin, Kristin Balwin, Webb City, Michael (Tiffany) Reneau, Joplin, Daniel (Amanda) French, Arizona, Sawyer (Kandice) French, Joplin, Tate Hearn, Texas, Colton French, Texas, and Mark (Amy) Meredith, Webb City; and many great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 9, at Mason-Woodard Mortuary. Terry Smith, minister, will officiate. Burial was in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. The visitation will be 9:00 a.m. Saturday, prior to the service.

OBITUARY

Ryan Clute

Nov. 6, 1990 – Sept. 9, 2022

Ryan Lee Clute, age 31, of Joplin, passed away on Friday, Sept. 9.

Ryan was born Nov., 6, 1990, to the union of Robert “Robbie” Clute Sr. and Patricia McDonald. Ryan grew up in Webb City and was a 2008 graduate of Webb City High School. On Dec. 28, 2019, he married Katlin Rogers at Duenweg Christian Church. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, bingo, watching baseball and football. His favorite team was the St. Louis Cardinals. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his family and friends.

Ryan was preceded in death by his father, Robert Douglas Clute Sr.; brother, Robert “Petey” Clute Jr.; and grandparents, Bud and Peggy Clute.

Ryan is survived by his wife, Katlin Clute, of the home; son, Myles Clute; two stepchildren, Hayden Colley and Madison Flowers; his mother, Patricia McDonald; one sister, Jennifer Newman; one brother, Shane Colman; a nephew, John Newman; and a host of extended nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements were under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

OBITUARY

Steven Forsythe Sr.

June 14, 1963 – Sept. 11, 2022

Mr. Steven Lynn Forsythe Sr., 59, formerly of Garden City, Kan., departed this life on Sunday evening, Sept. 11, in the comfort of his residence in Carthage, after a battle with cancer. 

Steven entered this life on June 14, 1963, in San Bernardino, Calif., son of the late Willard Eugene and Joan Lee (Palmer) Forsythe. His formative years were spent in Joplin, and Garden City. He was a self-employed sheetrock hanger for the majority of his life. He enjoyed horses and keeping himself busy working on various projects.

His parents, Joan Robinson and Willard Forsythe; one sister, Robin Lyons; and one neice, Machell Moore, preceded him in death. 

Steven is survived by his three children, Melissa Forsythe, state of Colorado, Steven Forsythe Jr., Riverton, Wyo., and Aaron Forsythe, Colorado, Springs, Colo.; a granddaughter, Haizlynn Forsythe; five sisters, Rhonda Forsythe, Webb City, Brenda Forsythe, Joplin, Cynthia Smith, Joplin, Sheila Haddock, Kansas City, and Debbie Wright, Kansas City; two brothers, Randy Forsythe, Joplin, and Randy Seeber, Galena, Kan.; and a host of other family and friends.

The family will receive friends at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home. Funeral services will commence at 6:30 p.m., with Chaplain Roger Flint officiating. A private burial service will be held at Carterville Cemetery.

OBITUARY

Ed Palmer

March 31, 1939 – Sept. 7, 2022

Edward “Ed” Victor Palmer, 83, of Webb City, departed this life for Heaven on Wednesday, Sept. 7. He no longer suffers and walks the streets of gold. Ed never met a stranger. Although Ed has left his family and friends to mourn the loss of his carefree and loving personality, we have the assurance one day we’ll be reunited again.

Ed was born March 31, 1939, in Eureka Springs, Ark., to Silas Edgar Palmer and Jane Ellen (Moore) Palmer. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; and five brothers.

Ed attended Picher Okla. High School. He graduated in 1957. In July of the same year, he enlisted into “Uncle Sam’s Navy” as he called it. He was a petty officer first class radar man, electronic specialist. He served for 13 years, until he was honorably discharged on Oct. 1, 1969. During his service he received the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Taiwan Straits Military Operations, Navy Expeditionary Medal for Cuban Military Operations and two Good Conduct Awards.

Shortly after getting out of the service, Ed lived in Afton, Okla., before relocating with his family to Arlington, Texas. Ed and family lived in Arlington for 10 years, and this is where he opened a TV shop, 1st Class TV. Upon returning to Missouri, he worked at Four State TV, Crase TV and Curtis Mathis. At one time, he was known as the “Curtis Mathis guy.” This was a nickname he was given as he was their in-home TV repair man. Later in life, Ed went to work for the Joplin R-8 School District as a custodian. He retired from there in 2006.

Ed loved to fish and had a wonderful time anytime he went. He will be remembered by his children and grandchildren as the man who taught us to fish and have a good time while doing it. His nickname was “Catfish.” His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He will be remembered by his youngest grandchildren as “Papa Ed” who sang them to sleep by singing “Froggy went a courtin”.

He married Becky (Wright) Smith on May 26, 1990. She survives. Other survivors include a son, Steven Palmer, Wichita, Kan.; three daughters Michelle Palmer, Las Vegas, Nev., Lisa Shively, Sedro-Woolley, Wash., and Rachael Durland (Chris), Webb City; grandchildren Dalton Palmer, Hunter Shively, Amelia Durland and Joseph Durland; and many nieces and nephews.

Services were held Wednesday Sept. 14, at Carterville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Joplin Humane Society. The family thanks Truman Nursing Home, Lamar, and Dr. Joustra for the kindness that they have shown Ed over the years.

Pallbearers were Chris Durland, Bob Gideon, Ray Lee Wood, Ed Burdick, Terrence Wethington, Mitch Lawrence, and honorary pallbearer, Joseph Durland. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home.